EP0693838B1 - Datenübertragungsvorrichtung und Verfahren zur effizienten Nutzung von Übertragungsmedien - Google Patents

Datenübertragungsvorrichtung und Verfahren zur effizienten Nutzung von Übertragungsmedien Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0693838B1
EP0693838B1 EP95304037A EP95304037A EP0693838B1 EP 0693838 B1 EP0693838 B1 EP 0693838B1 EP 95304037 A EP95304037 A EP 95304037A EP 95304037 A EP95304037 A EP 95304037A EP 0693838 B1 EP0693838 B1 EP 0693838B1
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Prior art keywords
packet
data
data communication
time period
apparatuses
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0693838A2 (de
EP0693838A3 (de
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Kaoru Hieda
Masahiko Tsukamoto
Akira Imai
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Sharp Corp
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Sharp Corp
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/40—Bus networks
    • H04L12/407—Bus networks with decentralised control
    • H04L12/413—Bus networks with decentralised control with random access, e.g. carrier-sense multiple-access with collision detection [CSMA-CD]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a data communication apparatus which carries out data communication in a communication network constituted by a plurality of information apparatuses, and method thereof, and more particularly, to a data communication apparatus which achieves higher efficiency in using the media, and method thereof.
  • Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram showing transmission and reception of a packet when an apparatus A transmits data to an apparatus B which shares the media with apparatus A. Operation of conventional examples A and P will now be described with reference to Fig. 16. Basically, the same procedure of Fig. 16 which will be described below is carried out in both conventional examples A and P.
  • a step of sensing a carrier for every 100 milliseconds is repeated four times. If no carrier is sensed, "process of waiting for random time” is next carried out. If a carrier is sensed even once, the step of sensing a carrier is again carried out four times.
  • process of waiting for random time a random number R determined depending on an access condition of the media is generated, and a step of sensing a carrier for every 100 milliseconds is repeated R times. If no carrier is sensed, an RTS packet is transmitted. If a carrier is sensed even once, process immediately returns to "process of waiting for fixed time”.
  • Conventional example A enables prevention of conflict of accesses to the media, and ensures that no collision will occur during transmission of a data packet from apparatus A to apparatus B by the above-described method.
  • Conventional example P is an improvement of conventional A, which overcomes so called "hidden terminal" problem which is specific to wireless media.
  • a hidden terminal represents a terminal which cannot transmit to and receive data from a plurality of wireless terminals within a prescribed zone directly.
  • apparatuses A and B can communicate with each other and apparatuses B and C can communicate with each other, while apparatuses A and C cannot communicate with each other (in this case, apparatus C is a hidden terminal with respect to apparatus A).
  • apparatus C cannot detect transmission of a data packet from apparatus A to apparatus B. Therefore, in the method of conventional example A, apparatus C determines that no carrier is present and transmits a packet to apparatus B, and therefore, apparatus B might not receive a data packet from apparatus A correctly.
  • an apparatus inhibits transmission of an RTS packet for the time determined by a random number.
  • another apparatus which shares the media therewith receives an RTS packet or a CTS packet which is transmitted not to the apparatus itself, the apparatus considers that a data packet will be sent thereafter, and inhibits transmission of a packet for a while thereafter.
  • an apparatus which receives an RTS packet which is transmitted not to the apparatus itself inhibits transmission of a packet for a period "d" in Fig. 16
  • an apparatus which receives a CTS packet which is transmitted not to the apparatus itself inhibits transmission of a packet for a period "e" in Fig. 16.
  • Conventional example P enables prevention of conflict of accesses to the media, and ensures that no conflict will occur during transmission of a data packet from apparatus A to apparatus B, by means of the above described method.
  • Apparatuses A, B and C share the media and can communicate with each other, and each of apparatuses A and B alternately requests transmission of 10 data packets to apparatus C.
  • Data packets transmitted by apparatuses A and B are sequentially represented by Pa 0 ... Pa 9 and Pb 0 ... Pb 9 , respectively.
  • apparatus B if apparatus B tries to transmit an RTS corresponding to Pb 0 right after apparatus A transmits an RTS packet corresponding to Pa 0 , apparatus B senses a carrier and inhibits transmission of RTS. After a period during which apparatus A sends a data corresponding to Pa 0 , apparatus A tries transmission of Pa 1 and apparatus B tries re-transmission of Pb 0 .
  • apparatus C might receive a packet in the following order. Pa 0 , Pa 1 ... Pa 9 , Pb 0 , Pb 1 ... Pb 9
  • an apparatus which has received an RTS packet assumes that a series of data switching is carried out between other apparatuses and gives up obtaining the media during the data switching.
  • the apparatus which has received the RTS packet assumes that a series of data switching is being carried out and gives up obtaining the media during the data switching, resulting in reduction in efficiency in using the media.
  • Fig. 19 shows a condition of communication when apparatuses which are adjacent to each other share the media.
  • apparatuses A and B can communicate with each other
  • apparatuses B and C can communicate with each other
  • apparatuses C and D can communicate with each other, while other combination of apparatuses cannot carried out communication.
  • apparatus C which has received an RTS packet 51 transmitted according to this request of apparatus B considers that a CTS packet 52, a data packet 53 and an ACK packet 54 are transmitted between apparatuses A and B, and sets a packet transmission inhibition period 55, i.e., a period during which a packet is inhibited from being transmitted.
  • apparatus C cannot return a CTS packet to apparatus D in response to RTS packets 56, 57 transmitted to apparatus C according to data transmission request of apparatus D, although, in fact, the media is not in use.
  • the invention provides a data communication apparatus as set out in claim 1.
  • the data communication apparatus of an embodiment transmits an RTS packet from the transmitter after lapse of a prescribed fixed waiting time starting from the time when the apparatus requests packet transmission to another apparatus. If the receiver senses a carrier in the media during the fixed waiting time, the media is considered to be used by other apparatuses, the apparatus waits for additional time determined according to a type of the sensed carrier. Accordingly, even if an apparatus cannot sense a carrier of only a part of a plurality of data communication apparatuses, packet transmission inhibition period is set with a waiting time determined according to a type of the sensed carrier, and therefore, packet transmission will not be inhibited for fixed time regardless of a detected carrier as in the case of the conventional examples. As a result, higher efficiency in using the media can be achieved in a plurality of data communication apparatuses which share the same media.
  • a sum of the first time and the second time is fixed for a plurality of apparatuses. If the first determining unit senses data communication between other apparatuses, the first time is set to be a sum of the time before and after the second time.
  • a sum of the first time and the second time is fixed for all the apparatuses which share the media, and the first time is set to be a sum of the time before and after the second time if an apparatus senses data communication between other apparatuses. Therefore, if a plurality of apparatuses request data transmission to the same apparatus, order of the requests made by the plurality of apparatuses can be maintained. Consequently, if a plurality of apparatuses request data transmission to the same apparatus sequentially, order of the requests can be maintained.
  • a transmitter transmits a data packet after transmission of an RTS packet indicating the apparatus requests data transmission to a receiving apparatus, and reception of a CTS packet from the receiving apparatus indicating that the receiving apparatus can respond to the RTS packet.
  • a controller controls the transmitter to transmit, within a first prescribed time, a CTS packet when a packet determined by a first determining unit is an RTS packet for the apparatus itself, and to transmit, within a first prescribed time, a data packet if the determined packet is a CTS packet for the apparatus itself.
  • the first determining unit determines that another apparatus requests transmission of data to the apparatus itself, the latter apparatus transmits a prescribed packet to the former apparatus within a first prescribed time. As a result, an apparatus can determine whether there is a request for data transmission between other apparatuses after the first set time.
  • a data communication apparatus in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention further includes a second determining unit for determining whether the apparatus itself is ready to receive data. If a first determining unit determines the presence of an RTS packet for the apparatus itself and a second determining unit determines that the apparatus itself is not ready to receive data, a controller controls a transmitter to transmit a cancel packet (CAN) to the RTS packet transmitting apparatus within a first prescribed time.
  • CAN cancel packet
  • the second determining unit transmits a cancel packet within the first prescribed time, indicating that the apparatus itself is not ready to receive data.
  • an apparatus can determine whether data transmission between other apparatuses is carried out or not within the first prescribed time, and can carried out a process according to the cancel packet.
  • a method of carrying out data communication between a plurality of apparatuses which share the same media includes the steps of detecting when a request for packet transmission to the media is generated; setting a first prescribed time after the request for packet transmission is detected; determining, within the first time, whether there is data communication between a plurality of apparatuses including an apparatus itself, and contents of data communication, if any; setting, if there is data communication between other apparatuses, a second time according to a type of the detected packet; and transmitting a prescribed packet according to the detected packet after lapse of the first time and the second time.
  • packet transmission inhibition period is set in consideration of a waiting time determined according to a type of the detected carrier.
  • Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of a data communication apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing how data communication is carried out between apparatuses incorporating a data communication apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 shows combinations of packet transmission and reception.
  • Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing steps of operation of a data transmitting apparatus.
  • Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing steps of operation of a data receiving apparatus.
  • Figs. 6A-6C show formats of an RTS packet, a CTS packet, and a cancel packet, respectively.
  • Figs. 7A and 7B show formats of a CAN packet and a data packet, respectively.
  • Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing steps of operation from the beginning to transmission of an RTS packet.
  • Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a packet transmission inhibition period set to a timer when an ACK is transmitted.
  • Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a packet transmission inhibition period set to a timer when an ACK is not transmitted.
  • Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing a subroutine which determines a value of a Timer 2.
  • Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating a condition in which efficiency in using the media is improved.
  • Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating how continuous reception of data is ensured.
  • Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing an important portion of a data communication apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figs. 15A and 15B show usage of communication and time to which a timer is set in the second embodiment of the present invention, respectively.
  • Fig. 16 is a diagram showing a basic operation of a conventional example.
  • Fig. 17 is a diagram showing conflict between accesses to the media in the conventional example.
  • Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a condition in which a hidden terminal is generated.
  • Fig. 19 is a diagram illustrating low efficiency in using the media in the conventional example.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing components of a data communication apparatus 1 to illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • infrared rays are applied as wireless media.
  • data communication apparatus 1 includes a wireless transmitting unit 10 for transmitting a packet to another communication apparatus which shares the media therewith; a packet generating unit 13 for generating a packet to be transmitted to wireless transmitting unit 10; a wireless receiving unit 11 for receiving a packet from another communication apparatus which shares the media therewith; a packet reproducing unit 12 for reproducing a packet received by wireless receiving unit 11; and a control unit 14 for controlling each of the units described above.
  • Control unit 14 includes a timer 15 which will be described below.
  • Wireless transmitting unit 10 includes a D/A converter (not shown) for converting a digital code train into an electric signal, a circuit for amplifying and modulating an electric signal, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) for converting an electric signal into an infrared signal.
  • Wireless receiving unit 11 is constituted by a pin photo diode for receiving and converting an infrared signal into an electric signal, and an amplifier for amplifying the electric signal, both of which are not shown.
  • Packet reproducing unit 12 converts an electric signal into a digital code train, and includes an A/D converter, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) within control unit 14, and a program in a memory, all of which are not shown.
  • Packet generating unit 13 for determining a type of each packet to be reproduced also includes the CPU within control unit 14, and a memory.
  • the memory constituting packet generating unit 13 includes an RTS packet generating program, a CTS packet generating program, a data packet generating program, and an ACK packet generating program, and a cancel packet generating program.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a condition in which the data communication apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is applied actually.
  • data communication apparatus 1 is incorporated, for example, into personal computers 71, 72, a server 73, a notebook personal computer 74, a printer 75 and the like.
  • Each of these apparatuses carries out data communication with each other through wireless media. It is noted that an arrow herein indicates a direction of data transmission.
  • transmission of the ACK packet is not always necessary, but could be carried out only when a user desires reliable data communication.
  • information of whether an ACK packet is transmitted or not could be added to each packet, in order that whether an ACK packet is transmitted or not can be decided depending on a condition of a data receiving apparatus even if a data transmitting apparatus requests transmission of an ACK packet.
  • Such a decision can be made by setting an ACK flag.
  • Combinations of packets described above are such as shown in Fig. 3.
  • Fig. 3 shows types of combination of the packets.
  • the ACK flag can be set in the RTS packet and the data packet. In Fig. 3, o indicates that the ACK flag in a packet is set, and ⁇ indicates that the ACK flag in a packet is not set.
  • "None" indicates that a packet has not been transmitted.
  • a combination 1 is an example in which apparatus A transmits data to apparatus B after apparatus B acknowledges a request of apparatus A for reliable data transmission, and apparatus B sends an ACK packet to apparatus A.
  • a combination 2 is an example in which apparatus B rejects a request of apparatus A for reliable data transmission, and apparatus A transmits data to apparatus B, considering that transmission of an ACK packet is not necessary.
  • a combination 3 is an example in which apparatus A requests data transmission which is not critical with respect to reliability, and transmits data to apparatus B.
  • a combination 4 is an example in which apparatus A requests reliable data transmission (with an ACK) to apparatus B, and apparatus B indicates that it cannot receive data.
  • a combination 5 is an example in which apparatus A requests data transmission to apparatus B, which is not critical with respect to reliability, and apparatus B indicates that it cannot receive data.
  • Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the data transmitting apparatus.
  • the number of attempts of RTS packet transmission is initialized to 0 (step S101, the term step is omitted hereinafter).
  • the apparatus attempts to transmit an RTS packet (S102).
  • the apparatus waits for a CTS packet for a prescribed time T 2 (S103). If the apparatus receives a CAN (cancel) packet, or receives nothing even if it attempts to send an RTS packet five times or more (no at S104), it gives up transmission and indicates failure in transmission (S106).
  • CAN cancel
  • the apparatus determines whether an ACK flag in the CTS packet is on (set) or not (S107). If the ACK flag in the CTS packet is on (yes at S107), the apparatus transmits a data packet with the ACK flag being on (S108, S109). Otherwise (no at S107), the apparatus transmits a data packet with the ACK flag being off, and indicates success in transmission (S111-S113).
  • the apparatus waits for an ACK packet for a prescribed time T 2 which will be described below, only when it requests an ACK packet (S110). If the apparatus does not receive the ACK packet within the prescribed time T 2 , it indicates failure in transmission (S106), and indicates success in communication if it receives it (S113).
  • the apparatus increases the number of attempts of RTS packet transmission, waits for a time period determined by a random number, and returns to S102. If the apparatus detects collision with other apparatuses, for example, at the time of first attempt at an RTS transmission, there might occur collision if the apparatus transmits an RTS packet at the same timing thereafter. Therefore, the apparatus waits for a time period determined by a random number in order to delay the transmission timing thereby possibly to avoid the collision.
  • Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing operation of a data receiving apparatus.
  • a data receiving apparatus B first receives an RTS packet (S201). Then, apparatus B determines whether it is ready to receive data. If apparatus B is not ready to receive data (no at S202), it sends a cancel (CAN) packet (S208). If apparatus B is ready to receive data (yes at S202), it determines whether an ACK flag in the RTS packet is on or not (S203). If not (no at S203), apparatus B turns off the ACK flag in a CTS packet and sends the CTS packet (S204, S205). Then, apparatus B waits to receive a data packet for a prescribed time T 2 (S206). If apparatus B cannot receive the data packet, it indicates failure in reception (S209). Otherwise, apparatus B indicates success in reception (S207).
  • apparatus B determines whether to send ACK or not (S210). If an ACK is sent, apparatus B transmits a CTS packet with the ACK flag being on (S211, S212). Apparatus B waits to receive a data packet for prescribed time T 2 as described previously (S213), and sends an ACK packet if it receives data, indicating success in receiving data (S214, S207). If apparatus B receives nothing, it indicates failure in receiving data (S209).
  • Figs. 6A-6C show formats of the packets, respectively.
  • Figs. 6A-6C are formats of an RTS packet, a CTS packet, and a cancel packet, respectively.
  • the RTS packet for example, consists of 20 bytes, in which 6 bytes from a zeroth byte to a fifth byte represent an address of a receiving apparatus, and 6 bytes from a sixth byte to a eleventh byte represent an address of a transmitting apparatus.
  • Twelfth and thirteenth bytes represent an upper layer protocol, and fourteenth and fifteenth bytes represent a packet type.
  • Sixteenth and seventeenth bytes represent an ID, and most significant eighteenth and nineteenth bytes represent an ACK flag.
  • a packet type is determined by means of fourteenth and fifteenth bytes, and decision whether an ACK is sent or not is made by means of least significant eighteenth and nineteenth bits of a flag. In this case, an ACK is sent if the least significant bits of the flag are 0, and an ACK is not sent if the least significant bits of the flag are 1.
  • Figs. 7A and 7B show formats of a DATA packet and an ACK packet, respectively. Basic structures thereof are similar to those in Figs. 6A-6C.
  • a data length shares a field with a packet type by making a minimum data length 4 bytes.
  • Data length and packet type may have mutually different fields, that is, packet type can be set in a specific dedicated field. Any packet format can be used in the present invention.
  • Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing procedure which is carried out when apparatus A transmits an RTS packet to apparatus B
  • Figs. 9 and 10 are diagrams respectively showing a packet transmission inhibition period of an apparatus C (not shown) which shares the media with apparatuses A and B.
  • Fig. 9 shows an example in which an ACK flag is set
  • Fig. 10 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 9, showing an example in which an ACK is not set in a detected carrier.
  • a timer itself is referred to as a "timer 1" or a “timer 2”
  • variable slot for setting the timer with a time is referred to as a "Timer 1", or a "Timer 2".
  • apparatus A includes two timers, that is, timer 1 and timer 2. Basically, apparatus A waits to send an RTS packet for a fixed waiting time of at least Tm by means of timer 1. Therefore, timers 1 and 2 are first initialized to the fixed waiting time Tm and 0, respectively (S301).
  • the fixed waiting time herein corresponds to each of fixed waiting times 100 and 110 in Figs. 9 and 10.
  • T 3 is shown to be relatively long for better understanding in the figures, T 3 is actually much shorter than T 2 .
  • Tm is a time an apparatus takes to transmit an RTS packet actually after requesting transmission of an RTS packet.
  • Tm is necessary to prevent disturbance of a CTS packet corresponding to an RTS packet, if any, transmitted by another terminal just before the apparatus requests transmission of an RTS packet.
  • timer 1 begins to be decremented, and a line is monitored to check whether a carrier is present or not (S302-S304). If there is no carrier (no at S304), apparatus A transmits an RTS packet after lapse of the above described fixed waiting time Tm (yes at S305, S306).
  • Apparatus C also includes timer 1 and timer 2 described above. It is noted that apparatus C can receive a carrier from only one of apparatuses A and B.
  • apparatus C stops decrementing the value of timer 1 in order to sense a carrier on the line, and monitors the line until there is no carrier sensed on the line (S307). Then, apparatus C determines whether the carrier is sent to apparatus C itself or not (S308). If the carrier is sent to apparatus C itself, apparatus C stops transmitting an RTS packet in a manner similar to that in apparatus B, and carries out receiving process according to a type of the carrier (S309).
  • apparatus C sets a packet transmission inhibition period, which will be described later as timer 2, according to a type of a carrier, and begins to decrement the value of timer 2 (S310, S311). Then, apparatus C waits for the value of timer 2 to be 0 (S312-S314), and carries out the process again from the beginning (return to S302).
  • Timer 2 When apparatus C receives, during operation of timer 2, a carrier which is different from that received at the time of setting Timer 2 according to a packet indicating the last communication, Timer 2 is reset according to the type of the newly received carrier.
  • apparatus C Since apparatus C might not sense a CTS packet transmitted from apparatus B, such a value as described above is set as a value of timer 2 in order to prevent disturbance of a CTS packet transmitted by apparatus B. Since apparatus C should always sense a data packet transmitted by apparatus A which has transmitted an RTS packet, a data packet transmission period need not to be included in the transmission inhibition period 101, 111.
  • a packet transmission inhibition period is set depending on whether an ACK flag is set or not.
  • a period corresponding to a packet transmission inhibition period 102 upon CTS reception shown in Fig. 9 is set (S408) when an ACK flag is set (yes at S404), and a period corresponding to a packet transmission inhibition period 112 shown in Fig. 10 is set (S407) when an ACK flag is not set (no at S404).
  • a value defined in the following equations is set as a value of timer 2.
  • Timer 2 T 2 * 2 + T 3 + T DM (ACK flag is on)
  • Timer 2 T 2 + T 3 + T DM (ACK flag is off)
  • T DM is a time to output data having the maximum data length, that is, the time required for a data packet having a longest data portion to be transmitted.
  • a period corresponding to an inhibition period 103 of Fig. 9 or a period corresponding to an inhibition period 113 of Fig. 10 is set as a value of timer 2 (S409, S410) depending on whether an ACK flag is set or not (S405).
  • Timer 2 T 1 + T 2 + T 3 (ACK flag is on)
  • Timer 2 T 3 (ACK flag is off)
  • apparatus C might not sense an ACK packet of apparatus B as described above, such a value as defined by the above equations is set in order to prevent disturbance of an ACK packet transmitted by apparatus B (when an ACK flag is on).
  • timer 2 T 3
  • timer 2 is set upon completion of packet reception.
  • time T 1 required for transmission of each of RTS, CTS, cancel and ACK packets is defined as 160 microseconds by the following equation.
  • the minimum time T 2 required for an apparatus to transmit a CTS packet after receiving an RTS packet, which changes depending on a speed of an apparatus, is about 1.0 millisecond in this case.
  • Time T DM required for transmission of the longest data packet can be 8.352 milliseconds from the following equation.
  • T DM (1024 + 20) * 8/1,000,000
  • T DM can be obtained by adding 20 bytes of a header portion to 1024 bytes, converting the resulting bytes into bits, and dividing the resulting bits by a value of transfer rate.
  • Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a period during which each of apparatuses to which the present invention is applied inhibits packet transmission, and corresponds to a diagram of the conventional example shown in Fig. 19.
  • data communication can be carried out only between apparatuses A-D shown by arrows, as in the case of Fig. 19.
  • apparatus B transmits an RTS packet to apparatus A, and that apparatus A cannot respond thereto and sends a cancel (CAN) packet 60 to apparatus B.
  • CAN cancel
  • Apparatus C senses an RTS packet of apparatus B, and inhibits transmission of a packet for a packet transmission inhibition period 61 of apparatus C. If apparatus A is normally ready to receive data, apparatus C could sense a data packet 53 transmitted by apparatus B. In this case, however, since apparatus C does not sense data packet 53 transmitted by apparatus B, apparatus C determines that it can transmit data to apparatus B. If apparatus D desires to transmit an RTS packet 56 to apparatus C at this time, apparatus C does not receive RTS packet 56 transmitted during packet transmission inhibition period 61 but an RTS packet 57 transmitted after inhibition period 61, and can return CTS packet 59 to apparatus D.
  • packet transmission inhibition period 61 of apparatus C in the present invention is shorter than that in the conventional example shown in Fig. 19, resulting in higher efficiency in using the media. This is because time required for apparatus B to transmit a data packet is excluded from a period during which apparatus C inhibits packet transmission in response to RTS packet 51 of apparatus B.
  • FIG. 13 shows a condition of packet transmission when apparatuses A, B and C can communicate with each other, and both apparatuses A and B transmit data to apparatus C.
  • an x axis represents time.
  • t1 indicates time when apparatus A requests transmission of Pa 0
  • t2 indicates time when apparatus B requests transmission of Pb 0
  • t3 indicates time when apparatus A transmits RTS packet 20a of Pa 0
  • t4 indicates time when a series of packet switching (from apparatus A to apparatus C) is completed
  • t5 indicates time when apparatus B transmits RTS packet 20b of Pb 0
  • t6 indicates time when a series of packet switching (from apparatus B to apparatus C) is completed
  • t7 indicates time when apparatus A transmits RTS packet 20c of Pa 1 .
  • Each of apparatuses A-C waits, upon transmission of data, to transmit RTS packet 20 for a fixed waiting time of at least Tm using timer 1 in such a manner as described above. If an apparatus which desires to transmit data senses transmission of data packet 22 between other apparatuses during the fixed waiting time, it inhibits packet transmission using timer 2 for a period necessary for communication between other apparatuses. If an apparatus which desires to transmit data senses, during a period of timer 1, transmission of a data packet between other apparatuses, a set value of timer 1 is counted from the time when an apparatus desires to transmit data, and a sum of the time before and after the transmission of the data packet between other apparatuses is set as the fixed waiting time Tm.
  • apparatus B desires to transmit data to apparatus C at time t2, it monitors the line (S301-S303). If apparatus B senses an RTS packet 20a of apparatus A at time t3, apparatus B stops decrementing a value of timer 1 and monitors the line until there is no carrier (S307). Since RTS packet 20a sensed by apparatus B is not transmitted to apparatus B itself, Timer 2 for an RTS packet is set as a value of timer 2 (S310). Apparatus B monitors the line, senses communication between apparatuses A and C, and changes a set value of timer 2 according to a type of a transmitted packet (S311-S314, S308, S310, S311).
  • apparatus B senses completion of communication between apparatuses A and C (no at S314), apparatus B waits for timer 2 to be 0 (yes at S312, corresponding to time after ACK packet transmission inhibition period 104 is completed in Fig. 9), and begins to decrementing a value of timer 1 which has been stopped at S307 (S302). Then, if a value of timer 1 is decremented to 0 (yes at S305), apparatus B transmits RTS packet 20b to apparatus C.
  • Each of periods a1, a2, a3, b1, b2 and b3 in the above equations is a period during which a value of timer 1 is decremented.
  • apparatuses A and B request transmission of a packet.
  • a random number is used in order to prevent conflict between apparatuses A and B. Accordingly, as described above, order of transmitted data might not be maintained.
  • infrared rays are used as wireless media in the present embodiment, visible light can be used similarly.
  • FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of a data communication apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • data communication apparatus 1 includes a wireless transmitting unit 30 for transmitting a data packet to another communication apparatus, a packet generating unit 33 connected to wireless transmitting unit 30 for generating a packet, a wireless receiving unit 31 for receiving a packet from another communication apparatus, a packet reproducing unit 32 for reproducing the received packet, and a control unit 34 for controlling the whole apparatus.
  • Control unit 34 includes a timer 35 which is similar to that in the first embodiment.
  • Wireless transmitting unit 30 is constituted by a D/A converter 30a for converting a digital code train into an electric signal, a circuit 30b for amplifying and modulating an electric signal, and an antenna 30c for emitting the modulated signal into the air as electric wave.
  • Wireless receiving unit 31 is constituted by an antenna 31a for receiving an electric wave signal, a wave sensing circuit 31b, and an amplifier 31c for amplifying the sensed electric signal.
  • Packet reproducing unit 32 converts an electric signal into a digital code train, and includes an A/D converter (not shown).
  • Packet generating unit 33 includes an RTS packet generating program, a CTS packet generating program, a data packet generating program, an ACK packet generating program, and a cancel packet generating program, all of which are not shown.
  • Fig. 15A shows methods employing mutually different maximum transfer rates in the second embodiment
  • Fig. 15B shows times T 1 , T 2 , T 3 and T DM in the case of using the methods shown in Fig. 15A
  • Fig. 15A shows a frequency, an occupied bandwidth, and the maximum transfer rate for each method
  • Fig. 15B shows time for each method.
  • Fig. 15B shows times for each method. Times shown in Fig. 15B are defined in the same manner as those in the first embodiment.
  • Timer 1 and Timer 2 are set in a manner similar to that in the first embodiment.
  • the present invention can be applied to cable communication.
  • the present invention when the present invention is applied to communication in which infrared rays are used as wireless media, so called “hidden terminal” problem is likely to occur due to high directivity of infrared rays.
  • "a hidden terminal” is generated due to difference in output power.
  • the present invention is particularly effective in improving efficiency in using the media in such a condition as described above.

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Claims (13)

  1. Datenübertragungsvorrichtung (1) zum Ausführen einer Datenübertragung in einem Netzwerk mit einer Anzahl von Datenübertragungsvorrichtungen, die dasselbe Medium gemeinsam nutzen, mit:
    einer Sendepaket-Erzeugungseinrichtung (13) zum Erzeugen eines an das Medium zu sendenden Pakets;
    einer Sendeeinrichtung (10) zum Senden des erzeugten Pakets an das Medium;
    einer Paketempfangseinrichtung (11) zum Empfangen eines vom Medium empfangenen Pakets;
    einer Paketreproduziereinrichtung (12) zum Reproduzieren des empfangenen Pakets;
    einer Einrichtung (14) zum Erkennen, wann die Sendeeinrichtung (10) Datenübertragung wünscht;
    gekennzeichnet durch
    eine erste Zeiteinstelleinrichtung (15) zum Einstellen einer ersten vorgegebenen Zeitperiode (Tm) ab dem Zeitpunkt, zu dem erkannt wird, dass die Sendeeinrichtung (10) Datenübertragung wünscht;
    eine erste Ermittlungseinrichtung (14) zum Ermitteln, ob zwischen anderen Vorrichtungen Datenübertragung ausgeführt wird oder nicht, und um den Inhalt derselben innerhalb der ersten vorgegebenen Zeitperiode (Tm) mittels der Paketempfangseinrichtung (11) und der Paketreproduziereinrichtung (12) zu ermitteln;
    eine zweite Zeiteinstelleinrichtung (15) zum Einstellen einer zweiten Zeitperiode (101, 102, 103, 104), die entsprechend dem Typ eines durch die erste Ermittlungseinrichtung (14) ermittelten Typs eines ermittelten Pakets eingestellt wird, wenn die erste Ermittlungseinrichtung (14) ermittelt, dass zwischen anderen Vorrichtungen Datenübertragung ausgeführt wird; und
    eine Steuerungseinrichtung (14) zum Steuern der Sendeeinrichtung (10) zum Senden eines vorgegebenen Pakets nach dem Verstreichen der ersten vorgegebenen Zeitperiode (Tm) und der zweiten Zeitperiode (101, 102, 103, 104).
  2. Datenübertragungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der
    die Summe aus der ersten vorgegebenen Zeitperiode (Tm) und der zweiten Zeitperiode (101, 102, 103, 104) festgelegt ist; und
    die erste vorgegebene Zeitperiode (Tm) die Summe von Zeitperioden ist, wie sie vor und nach der zweiten Zeitperiode (101, 102, 103, 104) auftreten, wenn die erste Ermittlungseinrichtung (14) Datenübertragung zwischen anderen Vorrichtung wahrnimmt.
  3. Datenübertragungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, bei der
    die Sendeeinrichtung (10) ein Datenpaket sendet, nachdem sie ein Sendeanforderungspaket, RTS (Request to Send), sendete, das anzeigt, dass die Vorrichtung Daten an eine Empfangsvorrichtung zu senden wünscht, und nachdem sie ein Sendefreigabepaket, CTS (Clear to Send) von der Empfangsvorrichtung empfing, das anzeigt, dass die Empfangsvorrichtung dazu bereit ist, auf das RTS-Paket zu reagieren; und
    die Steuerungseinrichtung (14) die Sendeeinrichtung (10) so steuert, dass diese innerhalb der ersten vorgegebenen Zeitperiode das CTS-Paket sendet, wenn ein durch die erste Ermittlungseinrichtung (14) ermitteltes Paket ein an die Vorrichtung gesendetes RTS-Paket ist, und sie innerhalb der ersten vorgegebenen Zeitperiode das Datenpaket sendet, wenn ein durch die erste Ermittlungseinrichtung (14) ermitteltes Paket ein an die Vorrichtung gesendetes CTS-Paket ist.
  4. Datenübertragungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, ferner mit einer zweiten Ermittlungseinrichtung (14) zum Ermitteln, ob die Vorrichtung zum Empfangen von Daten bereit ist oder nicht, wobei
    die Steuerungseinrichtung (14) die Sendeeinrichtung (10) so steuert, dass sie innerhalb der ersten vorgegebenen Zeitperiode ein Aufhebepaket an eine sendende Vorrichtung sendet, wenn die erste Ermittlungseinrichtung (14) ermittelt, dass an die Vorrichtung ein RTS-Paket gesendet wurde, und die zweite Ermittlungseinrichtung (14) ermittelt, dass die Vorrichtung nicht zum Empfangen von Daten bereit ist.
  5. Datenübertragungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, bei der die Steuerungseinrichtung (14) die Sendeeinrichtung (10) so steuert, dass sie innerhalb der ersten vorgegebenen Zeitperiode ein Bestätigungspaket, ACK (Acknowledgement), sendet, das anzeigt, dass die sendende Einrichtung (10) ein Datenpaket bestätigt, wenn die erste Ermittlungseinrichtung (14) ermittelt, dass ein Datenpaket an die Vorrichtung gesendet wurde.
  6. Datenübertragungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 5, bei der die Steuerungseinrichtung (14) die Paketerzeugungseinrichtung (13) so steuert, dass in einem zu sendenden Paket ein Signal zum Anfordern eines ACK-Pakets von einer empfangenden Vorrichtung enthalten ist.
  7. Datenübertragungsvorrichtung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei der:
    das empfangene Paket ein RTS-Paket, das anzeigt, dass eine sendende Vorrichtung einen Sendevorgang bei einer empfangenden Vorrichtung anfordert, und/oder ein CTS-Paket, das anzeigt, dass die empfangende Vorrichtung dazu bereit ist, auf das RTS-Paket zu antworten, und/oder ein Daten enthaltendes Datenpaket sowie ein ACK-Paket beinhaltet, das anzeigt, dass die empfangende Vorrichtung den Empfang des Datenpakets bestätigt;
    die zweite Zeiteinstelleinrichtung (15) als zweite Zeitperiode eine zweite vorgegebene Zeit einstellt, wenn das Paket ein RTS-Paket ist, eine dritte vorgegebene Zeit, wenn das Paket ein CTS-Paket ist, und eine vierte vorgegebene Zeit, wenn das Paket ein Datenpaket ist; und
    die zweite vorgegebene Zeit die Zeitperiode ab dem Ablauf der ersten vorgegebenen Zeitperiode bis zum Start des Sendens des Datenpakets ist, die dritte vorgegebene Zeitperiode die Zeitperiode ab dem Ablauf der ersten vorgegebenen Zeitperiode bis zum Abschluss des Sendens eines Datenpakets mit den gemäß dem Paketformat längsten verfügbaren Daten ist, und die vierte vorgegebene Zeit 0 ist.
  8. Datenübertragungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, bei der
    die mehreren Vorrichtungen im Netzwerk Daten aneinander übertragen, wobei in Konflikt stehende Pakete von anderen Vorrichtungen an dieselbe Vorrichtung gesendet werden können, die Vorrichtung eine Einrichtung (14) zum Erkennen eines Konflikts der Pakete aufweist; und
    eine Einrichtung (14) für Abgleichung mit anderen Vorrichtungen im System vorhanden ist, so dass kein weiterer Konflikt mit anderen Vorrichtungen, für die zuvor Konflikte auftraten, mehr auftritt, wenn die Erkennungseinrichtung (14) einen Konflikt der Pakete erkennt.
  9. Datenübertragungsvorrichtung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, die eine Funk-Datenübertragungsvorrichtung ist.
  10. Datenübertragungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 9, die als Funk-Datenübertragungsvorrichtung eine Infrarot-Datenübertragungsvorrichtung ist.
  11. Datenübertragungs-Netzwerk mit mehreren Datenübertragungsvorrichtungen nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche.
  12. Verfahren zum Ausführen von Datenübertragung zwischen mehreren Vorrichtungen, einschließlich einer Datenübertragungsvorrichtung, die dasselbe Medium gemeinsam nutzen, mit den folgenden Schritten:
    Erfassen, wann eine sendende Vorrichtung das Senden eines Pakets an das Medium anfordert;
    Einstellen einer ersten vorgegebenen Zeitperiode (Tm) ab dem Zeitpunkt, zu dem die Sendeanforderung bekannt wird;
    Ermitteln, innerhalb der ersten vorgegebenen Zeitperiode (Tm), ob zwischen den mehreren Vorrichtungen Datenübertragung erfolgt oder nicht, und Ermitteln des Datenübertragungsinhalts eines ermittelten Pakets;
    Einstellen einer zweiten Zeitperiode (101, 102, 103, 104) entsprechend dem Typ des ermittelten Pakets, wenn ermittelt wird, dass zwischen anderen Vorrichtungen Datenübertragung erfolgt; und
    Senden eines vorgegebenen Pakets nach dem Verstreichen der ersten vorgegebenen Zeitperiode (Tm) und der zweiten Zeitperiode (101, 102, 103, 104).
  13. Verfahren zum Ausführen von Datenübertragung nach Anspruch 12, bei dem der Schritt des Einstellens einer ersten vorgegebenen Zeitperiode (Tm) den Schritt des Einstellens derselben als Summe von Zeitperioden beinhaltet, die vor und nach der zweiten Zeitperiode (101, 102, 103, 104) auftreten, wenn ermittelt wird, dass zwischen anderen Vorrichtungen Datenübertragung erfolgt.
EP95304037A 1994-07-21 1995-06-12 Datenübertragungsvorrichtung und Verfahren zur effizienten Nutzung von Übertragungsmedien Expired - Lifetime EP0693838B1 (de)

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JP16974394A JP3041200B2 (ja) 1994-07-21 1994-07-21 データ通信装置およびその方法
JP16974394 1994-07-21
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EP0693838A2 EP0693838A2 (de) 1996-01-24
EP0693838A3 EP0693838A3 (de) 1998-01-21
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JP3041200B2 (ja) 2000-05-15
EP0693838A2 (de) 1996-01-24
JPH0837528A (ja) 1996-02-06
US5592483A (en) 1997-01-07
EP0693838A3 (de) 1998-01-21
DE69527826D1 (de) 2002-09-26

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